Erik Johnson Posted May 24, 2006 Share Posted May 24, 2006 I went down to Orlando for a few hours to take some pictures of the new Shamu Happy Harbor area with The Shamu Express, Florida's brand new kiddie coaster. Plus a bunch of new photos of the Sky Trolly at Islands of Adventure and much more. I have quite a few photos to post, so they will be added in sections. Here is another picture of the "bouncing" attraction. The "Bouncing" attraction. And that is the name of that one. Here is another ride. Here it is! Ok, this is another new ride they added to the park. As well as an on-ride photo station. Just like Kraken, they had lockers for loose items. OK back on down, away from the station. Another group of people on the train. I tried to get the entire train in one photo. I can't get over how long these train are. Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii! They have already made the area pretty nice. Actually, I was surprised how fast the lift hill was. Ready to go! Hmmm, I dont think I can get a good onride video from this seat. Ok into the station we go. Especially this guy. These people seem to be having fun. Holy crap! That is a long train. Its called, Shamu Express, in case you already forgot. Ok, its time to earn a new credit. I think it was media day today, with all of these radio station booths. Yeah, including the dog as well. Something special must be going on, because they had the full Budweiser Beer Wagon out today. Yes, they already have the new kid's area on the map. I guess this explains that after 2032 Beer : Trip Reports, Derek is still not fat. See what I mean? Oh yeah, those Platinum passes rule! There is quite a few of these new Believe! posters (new Shamu show) all around Sea World Orlando now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nursemelis374 Posted May 24, 2006 Share Posted May 24, 2006 Is there a thread for cutest coaster?, because I would vote for Shamu Express! That train is the cutest thing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillMontu Posted May 24, 2006 Share Posted May 24, 2006 Actually, that Air Bounce attraction has been there for a few years. They did a nice job on the theming of the trains (how many cars do they have?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Johnson Posted May 24, 2006 Author Share Posted May 24, 2006 Here are the final photos from Sea World today. After this IOA! Between the love bug splats (all clean now) you can see them clearing this big tract of land up close. Did they get new boats? They seem brighter to me. I finally rode the front row of Kraken. Awesome coaster. They are clearing a bunch of land right next to Sea World. I wonder if this is the upcoming water park. Shamu's Happy Harbor from the Sky Tower. Here are the Shamus/Orcas being lazy. But this is what it looks like from the Sky Tower. I would have liked to see the new Shamu show, but I got there too late, and I was not going to stay until 3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Johnson Posted May 24, 2006 Author Share Posted May 24, 2006 Actually, that Air Bounce attraction has been there for a few years. They did a nice job on the theming of the trains (how many cars do they have?) Oops, oh well. I have not been in the area for a while. I think I ocunted 14 cars on the train, so it has a 28 person capacity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Johnson Posted May 24, 2006 Author Share Posted May 24, 2006 Ok onto IOA and Universal. Just to let you know, in case you are going to visit IOA in the next 2 weeks. Dueling Dragons have been open on both Friday and Saturday during the ongoing re-paint. Guess there is going to be, two of them. Hope you enjoyed the update! I guess this is going to be the spinning platform. Here are some Universal 360 construction photos...well only 2. They added some kind of TV monitor with a mummy logo in the queue line. Universal's best kept secret. Oops, forgot to close the door. "Sorry, its closed!" This poor guy has said it over 2000 times in 30 minutes. Just a few more weeks to go, again its open on Fridays and Saturdays! My baby is getting some TLC! New paint really makes a ride look brand new. Nice! Looks red again. At least the Balsamic Chicken is still there. Here is a closeup of one of the cars. Sky Trolly through the trees. Pretty cool way to advertise the upcoming new ride. Here is the train, all in its glory! As well as the Sneeches Star Stamp room. It looks like the theming is quite different from each track's dark area. Yes, all of those brushes were moving today. Lots of work still being done around Seuss Landing. Here is a guy working on the other platform. Same platform, different angle. They have built two new platforms along the Sky Trolly's track, for evacuation purposes. I think the logo is pretty cool. They put in a few more dollars for the sign. The coasters have been open ever Friday and Saturday, just to let you know Bubba Gump's is still coming right along. I have never parked up here before, boy is it hot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Sabo Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 Awesome photo's!! Man, I haven't been to SW since (before) Kraken was built...lol 1. S-E looks like a fun coaster, and I can only imagine from that view of the "tail" you can only have a good view from the front seat..lol I actually LOVE the color-scheme. I'll have to ask Santa to put one in my backyard in Hawaii. 2. Bubba Gump restaurants in Hawaii (ALL of them) suck! I've tried to go on several occasions (even with management changes) and each time the food gets worse. I'm curious on the B-G food report if anyone else experienced this chain. 3. DD-looks nice with it's paint job (long overdue). 4. Busch seems to have done a nice job with its landscaping there. I love the pic of the 'Great American Beer Co."..lol 5. NOTHING beats a good day @ a Busch park than seeing those Awesome Clydsedales Beer wagon! 6. Looks like IOA will make use of the S-T track afterall..lol That looks like a fun ride with the kids 7. Good job on the PTR! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubba Z Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 Nice update Erik , Thanks for the photos. Hopefully I get back to Florida soon for that new credit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoshiFan Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 Nice photos. That new Shamu coaster looks decent for a kiddie coaster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoasterCrazy Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 Great pictures! I will have to visit Sea World the next time that I go to Florida. While I'm there I will get the Shamu credit and ride Kraken again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pvcoasterguy Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 Suess' Sky Trolley seems like a nice relaxing ride, kind of like the PeopleMover. I really enjoyed the PeopleMover, so hopefully this will be as fun (and relaxing.) It's looking suprisingly good. I'm really glad that both Suess Landing and Dueling Dragons are getting some TLC... they both really needed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekRx Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 Nice photos. The whole new kiddie area looks really nice, its good to see SeaWorld finally adding more rides. Shamu Express looks pretty cool, and its good to see a different layout from the usual Tivolis. Dude, a baked potato bagel!? I would totally give up beer for that! And a pasta sandwich doesn't sound too bad either! I love the picture of the Bobby Brown wanna-be "please, no pictures!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECZenith Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 Good to see credit #215 is ready to roll! I can't wait to see what else is inside the Sky Trolley buildings, hopefully some decent theming! Thanks for the update erik. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disneyfan1313 Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 I have to get the motivation to drive the 1/2 mile to seaworld to get the credit. Hmmmm.. Eric - next time your in O-town you gotta say Hi! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT3000 Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 This Trolley better be damn good, because it's making Suess Landing look cluttered as hell. I don't like the placement of those platforms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Johnson Posted May 25, 2006 Author Share Posted May 25, 2006 I have to get the motivation to drive the 1/2 mile to seaworld to get the credit. Hmmmm.. Eric - next time your in O-town you gotta say Hi! OK will do, I guess I am never sure of your schedule, but I should know that it never hurts to call. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obeygiant Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 that secret area...what is it?? is it like a secret entrence because i've never heard of it before... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rollermonkey Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 I think that after I move to Chicago, I will need to convince My wife that a trip to Orlando is something she would like to do. For Disney, of course! I'll just stay in the hotel room a 'couple' days while she enjoys Disney. Maybe I'll have a headache. How long is the drive from WDW to IOA? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Johnson Posted May 25, 2006 Author Share Posted May 25, 2006 that secret area...what is it?? is it like a secret entrence because i've never heard of it before... That is why its a secret... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Johnson Posted May 25, 2006 Author Share Posted May 25, 2006 I think that after I move to Chicago, I will need to convince My wife that a trip to Orlando is something she would like to do. For Disney, of course! I'll just stay in the hotel room a 'couple' days while she enjoys Disney. Maybe I'll have a headache. How long is the drive from WDW to IOA? About 10 minutes, but really depends on traffic. But its around 10 miles at the most. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissie Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 Great pictures Eric! I can't wait to see everything! I can't believe I'll be in Orlando this time next week! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pianojohn Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 I actually went to the Bubba Gump in Daytona Beach as well as the one near the Tokyo Dome, and I found the food to be pretty good. But if you are looking for the best meal (in my opinion) at CityWalk, I would go to Latin Quarter. I have never had a bad meal there! Then again, my favorite nearby restaurant would have to be The Ale House across the street from Universal. Best Chicken Nachos ever!!! Thanks for the pics. Shamu Express was credit 351 for me!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazydaveh Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 Nice update. Just an FYI. The Clydesdales always walk around the park one time a day. They don't go out if the weather is bad. The cleared land is for the waterpark. No one can ever give up beer. Beer rules. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Johnson Posted May 25, 2006 Author Share Posted May 25, 2006 Nice update. Just an FYI. The Clydesdales always walk around the park one time a day. They don't go out if the weather is bad. The cleared land is for the waterpark. No one can ever give up beer. Beer rules. Cool, I have never seen them walking around in the park before, and thanks for confirming the clearing of the land as the waterpark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tikifyre Posted May 26, 2006 Share Posted May 26, 2006 I used to go to Sea World a lot when I lived in Tampa and I used to see those Clydesdales pulling that wagon through those narrow walkways, lol... The best part was the park speakers were blaring that old Budwieser tune..."here comes the king, here comes the king here comes the big #1..." LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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